Food Snob Chronicles – Five outstanding movie food scenes

Confession: I don’t watch the Oscars. I used to, until I realized it is not much more than an event during which movie stars pat each other on the back — the rest of us only common voyeurs. This year, one of my classmates is up for Best Actor, and I still don’t plan to watch.

Come to think of it, the Grammys and Emmys aren’t much different. But I digress… Want to win me back as a watcher? Come up with a category that transcends everything else on the awards list. Something that is a necessity for all living things … Something that – on its own – can describe every scene … The one thing that, if done correctly, can speak to a person so loudly that they are tempted to leave the theater for it. (Even the best sex scenes can’t do that!)

Food.

If I were the boss over at the ‘Academy,’ I’d insist on the best food scenes, and these would be my nominees:

The Godfather (1972): Clemenza’s spaghetti sauce recipePeter Clemenza (Richard Castellano) might’ve been one of Don Vito Corleone’s (Marlon Brando) oldest and most trusted soldiers, but he was also one heck of a cook. Believe it or not, director Francis Ford Coppola included this scene just in case the movie was a flop. He said that at least people would have (his own) recipe for Sunday gravy. Here’s his recipe for spaghetti, as given to Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in the movie:

‘You start out with a little bit of oil. Then you fry some garlic. Then you throw in some tomatoes, tomato paste; you fry it; you make sure it doesn’t stick. You get it to a boil; you shove in all your sausage and your meatballs … And a little bit o’ wine. An’ a little bit o’ sugar, and that’s my trick.’

Five Easy Pieces (1970): A side order of toastBobby Dupea’s (Jack Nicholson) order shouldn’t have been that big of a deal — ‘…An omelet, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce. And a cup of coffee.’
But the rude waitress didn’t see it that way. Dupea’s response is legendary … especially for those of us who regularly find themselves in controversial situations at restaurants. Here’s the scene.

Pulp Fiction (1994): The Big Kahuna burgerSure, the ‘Five dollar shake’ scene gets all of the attention, but there’s another scene that’s much funnier … and appetizing. Seriously, the Big Kahuna Burger scene makes me want a burger and an almost-empty soda in a cup.

Once Upon a time in America (1984): Cream vs. PeggyThere was once a girl who would exchange sexual favors for sweet confections. And there was once a boy who decided that some food really is better than sex.

Late in the film, Henry is is making a special meal for his brother, whom he’s just picked up from the hospital. Though the kitchen scene is manic, it’s memorable. And delicious.

‘I had to start braising the beef, pork butt, and veal shanks for the tomato sauce. It was Michael’s favorite. I was making ziti with the meat gravy, and I’m planning to roast some peppers over the flames, and I was gonna put on some string beans with some olive oil and garlic, and I had some beautiful cutlets that were cut just right, that I was going to fry up before dinner just as an appetizer.’

Then there’s the scene in which Henry approaches Paulie (Paul Sorvino) to beg for his help. Paulie, at the time, is frying Italian sausages. As the mob boss is telling Henry how disappointed he is, the sizzling and popping from the sausages almost steals the scene.

But the movie’s piece de resistance is the Italian meal cooked by Paulie et al. while they are serving prison time. Prison is hard, so the guys must slice their fresh garlic with a razor blade. And it’s a beautiful thing when they do. See the winning scene here.

Want to receive notifications of my Confessions and Chronicles in your email? Just click here. I’d also love for you to join me on Facebook (click the ‘like’ button), Pinterest and Google+.

Let’s get one thing straight. The best snacks for watching the Oscars do not include the words caponata or tapenade. And if you’re thinking about roasting radishes in butter, then sprinkling it with fresh herbs and artisan cheese … well, shame on you. Last time I went to the movies — The Secret Life of Walter Mitty — I went without a snack, because I’d had a gargantuan mushroom burger beforehand. Still, I don’t (ever) remember seeing Balsamic-marinated mushrooms or mint-scented grilled grapefruit on the overpriced theater snack bar menu.

In the spirit of all of those beautiful people who pretend to be happy that someone else will be taking home the trophy, I bring you a cheater recipe this week. Why do I call it a cheater? Because it only involves a microwave oven and a couple of ingredients. (It’s so good though!) Make sure you chase it with a $12 cup of Coca Cola. And, for good measure, throw your trash on the floor as the credits are rolling.

Chocolate Drizzled Kettle Corn

Chocolate Drizzled Kettle Corn — Why be any different than those red carpet fakes?

Pop the corn per the manufacturer’s instructions, or make your own homemade version. On a parchment- or foil-lined baking sheet, spread popped corn out to cool. Melt chocolate per the manufacturer’s instructions (I told you this is a cheater recipe!). Drizzle over popcorn and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator.

Comments

I never saw Goodfellas but now you’ve got me thinking I need to. What a great scene. Hard to remember that Nicholson had the eyebrow thing going even back in 5 Easy Pieces (my word was that back in 1970?).
Now there’s a movie that maybe didn’t make the Oscars but has been one of my favorites – The Bandits. Not only do I recall that scene when they’re staying overnight at the bank manager’s house & they’re trying to figure out the secret to the wife’s spaghetti sauce (saffron), but my all time favorite movie scene is Kate Blanchett in the kitchen – haven’t you always wanted to do this?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N13fzKlzSw4

Look at that chocolate drizzle kettle corn would you????? Love it. And I love talking about food scenes in movies. My little God Daughter is coming over tomorrow night for an announced Oscar Watching Event. We’ll have fun. And ok Mr. No-name dropper … who is your classmate?

I love Goodfellas (I practically have it memorized) & I have Henry Hill’s cookbook. I now think I need to get that out and make something from it. And have that popcorn for dessert. I don’t watch the Oscars at all, but that’s mainly because we only get one channel.

When we bought our house, we could afford cable/satellite or high-speed internet. I chose internet. I don’t miss TV (well, not entirely true, now that I’ve REALLY gotten into Vikings & Game of Thrones), but I’d rather cut off both my arms than give up my computer. And yeah, I was rather sad when I learned of Henry Hill’s passing. I made some pasta from his cookbook in his honor.

The dogs broke the “germ rule” in Lady and the Tramp by eating the same strand of pasta. I had to wash my hands and brush my teeth for days after seeing that. As for Woman on Top, well… That sounds like my kind of movie. But you realize we’re talking about food scenes here, right?

Who is this Oddball?

I don’t consider myself to be any quirkier than the next guy, but family and friends disagree.
My name is Adam J. Holland and I put stadium hot dogs and chips & salsa on the same culinary pedestal as dry-aged beef and white truffles. Brave enough for more?